How termite hole look like

Finding termite holes in your home can be a worrisome sign of larger problems. These small holes may seem harmless at first, but they can potentially lead to thousands of dollars in structural damage if termites infest the wood framing of your house.

In this complete guide for homeowners, you’ll learn all about the signs of termite holes, the types of termites that make them, where they are most commonly found, how to get rid of termites in your home, and how to repair drywall and wood damaged by termites. Read on to educate yourself on protecting your home from these invasive pests.

Signs of Termite Holes in Your Home

Termite holes can range in size from tiny pinholes in drywall to dime-sized holes in wooden framing. They are usually perfectly round in shape due to the termite’s rotating jaws that chew through materials. You may see small piles of sawdust or soil under holes, which is excrement from termites.

The most common places to find termite holes in a home include:

• Baseboards
• Door and window frames
• Wooden support beams
• Attics
• Crawl spaces
• Fences or decks

Drywood termites create small, clean holes, while subterranean termites make larger, irregular mud-packed holes. Here is a comparison:

Drywood Termites	Subterranean Termites
Small holes, about 1/16″ to 1/8″ diameter	Holes up to 3/4″ diameter
Round holes	Holes may be irregularly shaped
Edges of holes are smooth	Tunnel edges may be rough
No mud tubes	Holes packed with dirt/mud

You may also notice small pinholes in drywall that are a sign of termites eating through the paper membrane of the wall material. Tiny holes in drywall mud compound can also be caused by termites, or by air bubbles surfacing as the compound dries.

Now that we’ve covered the common signs of termite holes, let’s look at some locations in your home where these holes may be found.

Termite Holes in Drywall

Drywall made of paper and gypsum is vulnerable to termites chewing through it. They feed on the cellulose material in the paper backing and can create small pinholes or larger jagged openings. Termite damage may be hidden behind wall hangings or only visible in unfinished areas like attics or garages. Telltale signs include:

• Tiny pinpricks in drywall, usually in groups or trails
• Holes with rough, irregular edges from termites chewing through paper
• Sawdust or debris falling from openings in walls

Termite Holes in the Ground

Foraging subterranean termites create a network of underground tunnels leading from their nest to food sources. Around building foundations you may notice:

• Dime-sized holes in soil areas with small piles of dirt
• Tunnels under walkways, patios, or mulch beds
• Holes containing termite mud tubes near the foundation

Termite Holes in Trees

Termites invade living trees and dead wood, hollowing out areas inside. Signs of infestation in trees include:

• Holes in wood surrounded by sticky sap flows
• Hollowed out areas under loose bark that can be caved in by pressing
• Dead limbs and sections of trees due to damage under the surface

Termite Holes in Walls

Inside walls, termites excavate tunnels and cavities within wooden structural components like studs, leaving only a thin outer shell in severe cases. Warning signs are:

• Hollow sounds when gently tapping on walls
• Bulging or buckling drywall as underlying wood is consumed
• Sawdust falling from small holes in wall surfaces

What Do Termite Holes Look Like?

Termite holes have the following characteristics:

• Perfectly round in shape, from 1/16″ to 3/4″ diameter
• Found in contact with wood sources like beams and trim
• May have bits of sawdust or soil beneath them
• Smooth edges unless enlarged by carpenter ants
• Pinholes in drywall or mud may indicate termites

Here are some examples of what termite holes look like in various locations:

Termite Exit Holes

In addition to the holes termites create as they eat through wood, you may also spot “exit holes” on surfaces. These occur when mature termites leave the wood colony to swarm.

Drywood termites are more likely to create small, round exit holes as workers push out fecal pellets. You may see a pile of pellets beneath a termite exit hole. Subterranean termites can also create exit holes when alates swarm from the colony to mate and establish new nests.

Exit holes can appear anywhere on wood surfaces, including walls, ceilings, trim, and furniture. Seeing exit holes is a definite sign there is an active infestation in the home that requires treatment.

Where Do You Find Termite Holes?

Here are the top 10 places to check for signs of termite holes in your home:

• Baseboards
• Window frames
• Door frames
• Attics
• Crawl spaces
• Wood flooring
• Bookshelves
• Furniture
• Drywall
• Masonry

Types of Termites That Create Holes

There are two main types of termites that can invade homes and create holes as they eat through wood materials:

Drywood Termites

Drywood termites live within the wood they infest and do not need contact with soil. They burrow into dry, dead wood and can chew through structural timbers, wooden panels, window frames, furniture, and bookshelves.

Signs of drywood termites include:

• Small, round holes surrounded by smooth bare wood
• Piles of pellet-like feces beneath holes
• Hollowed out areas in wood
• Drywood termite “kick-out” holes as they push excrement out of colonies

Subterranean Termites

Subterranean termites live underground and tunnel up into the wood of your home. They carry soil as they travel, packing it into spaces and the holes they create.

Signs of subterranean termites are:

• Large, irregular holes packed with mud
• Mud tubes constructed over foundations and pier footings
• Hollowed out wood filled with mud
• Sagging floors or wood damage in contact with soil

Getting Rid of Termites

Discovering termite holes means you likely have an active infestation requiring professional termite treatment. Here are some common options:

Liquid Soil Treatment: A technique that creates an insecticidal barrier around your home through soil injection, trenching, or rodding.

Termite Baits: Bait stations filled with cellulose material laced with slow-acting insecticide that workers bring back to the colony.

Wood Treatments: Targeted spraying or foaming of infested wood with insecticides.

Call for a professional inspection and treatment plan if you see:

• New termite holes forming
• Mud tubes on foundation
• Shelter tubes on walls or pillars
• Buckling wood or drywall

Why Do They Drill Holes for Termite Treatment?

When doing a liquid soil treatment, pest control pros will drill small holes around the foundation of your home every few feet. Then they inject an insecticidal fluid which creates a protective chemical barrier in the soil to kill termites tunneling from nest to home.

Fixing Termite Damage

Termites can cause two types of property damage – structural and cosmetic. Structural damage like collapsed walls or floors may require rebuilding. Cosmetic damage usually just impacts the visible appearance.

To temporarily patch cosmetic damage:

• Fill holes with wood filler, caulk or drywall compound
• Use spackling paste or toothpicks for small holes
• Cover damaged areas with paint, wallpaper, or wood trim

But know that termites may continue eating surrounding material. Permanent repairs will be needed after treating the infestation. Prevent further damage by having a professional treat for termites as soon as possible.

How to Cover Termite Holes

Follow these steps to easily patch termite holes in drywall:

Materials Needed:

• Drywall compound
• Putty or wood filler
• Sandpaper
• Paint
• Wood shims or toothpicks (optional)

Steps:

1. Remove loose material and debris from the hole with a utility knife. Cut away ragged edges to create a clean opening.
2. Fill the hole with drywall compound, pressing it into the edges.
3. For larger holes, insert wood shims or toothpicks first to provide support. Cover with compound.
4. Allow compound to dry fully then sand until smooth.
5. Apply primer and paint to match existing walls.
6. Fill any shrinkage by repeating drywall compound and sanding steps.

The key is matching the surrounding wall texture. Knockdown and popcorn textures can be mimicked by tapping dry compound with a screwdriver. For orange peel texture, stipple the wet compound using a sponge.

Key Takeaways:

• Termite holes range from tiny pinholes to large irregular openings packed with mud or soil. Look for signs of sawdust or debris too.
• The most common spots to find termite holes are in wood trim, window and door frames, furniture, and baseboards. But they can appear anywhere wood is present.
• Drywood termites create small round holes in wood while subterranean termites make larger mud-filled holes as they tunnel from the ground up.
• Getting rid of termites requires professional treatment like liquid insecticide barriers, baits, or wood treatments. DIY prevention can help but won’t eliminate infestations.
• Cosmetic damage from termites can be patched with fillers and paint but structural damage needs rebuilding. Prevent further damage by treating termites quickly.
• Don’t ignore signs of termite holes – get a professional inspection right away before expensive repairs are required. Catching infestations early is key.

Conclusion

Spotting termite holes in your home is a situation requiring immediate attention and professional pest control help. Now that you know the signs, locations, and appearances of termite damage, you can identify if these wood destroyers are invading your property. Take action quickly before termites can multiply and severely compromise your home’s structure. Don’t wait to call for an inspection and treatment plan to defend your house and prevent thousands in repairs.

FAQs

What to do if you find termite holes?

If you discover any signs of termite holes in your home, take action immediately:

• Contact a licensed pest control professional for an inspection and treatment plan
• Do not plug holes or attempt DIY treatments, as this can spread the infestation
• Remove all wood debris and vacuum up any sawdust from holes
• Look for other signs of termites like mud tubes, wood damage, swarmers
• Consult a home inspector or contractor if major structural damage is found
• Act fast to prevent expensive repairs – catching infestations early is key

Do termites make tiny holes?

Yes, termite holes can often start out very small. Drywood termites make tiny pinprick holes in wood and drywall as they kick out their fecal pellets. The holes may range from 1/16 to 1/8 inches at first. Subterranean termites also start with dime-sized holes as they tunnel upward into structures. So tiny holes should not be ignored as they can indicate the start of a serious termite infestation.

How do you identify termite exit holes?

Termite exit holes created when swarmers leave a colony are distinguished by their perfectly round shape, often with a “shotgun” pattern scattered across a surface. They range from 1/8 to 3/16 inches in diameter. Slightly raised “kickout” holes surrounded by fecal pellets are a sign of drywood termites. Exit holes may have trails of termites nearby and be accompanied by an alate swarm.

Can termites damage concrete?

While termites prefer to feed on wood and cellulose materials, they can still damage concrete. The thinset mortar between joints and cracks in concrete contains cellulose that termites can consume. This allows them to hollow out concrete from the inside, leaving only a thin shell behind. Signs of concrete termite damage include cracks, surface pops, and crumbling sections.

Can termite damage be reversed?

Once termites have substantially damaged the internal structure of wood or concrete, the effects cannot be reversed or undone. However, after a termite infestation is professionally treated, cosmetic damage to surfaces can be repaired. Wood framing, support beams, walls, and other important structural elements may need replacement if severely compromised by internal termite damage over time. Preventing damage through early treatment is key.